Tricks to flushing water system?

6cuda61

New member
Apr 17, 2020
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Anyone know a way to flush a water system? This coach has had RV antifreeze in it for many many moons and after running about 100 plus gallons of
water ( 60 of it with bleach) it still is coming out light pink and smelling of antifreeze.....

Im thinking either someone on here has a few tricks to share or i maybe having to replace everything..... :(

PS: my goal is not to drink the water but at least be able to wash/shower, brush teeth etc....
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
100 gallons is an awful lot of water to run thru the system to get it clean.

Number one:
You need to install a cleanout on your water tank similar to the one shown in this picture. If you have the poly tank it is an easy install. You can find those at most marine supply stores. I get mine from West Marine.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/interior-rear-construction-detail/p64992-water-tank-under-the-passenger-side-seat-cover.html

Suggested cleanout:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--6-screw-in-deck-plate--11743036?recordNum=4

The 6” is the size you need as you need to get your arm into the tank and maybe a shopvac hose. Wash it out, then scrub it out then drain it to the ground, not pump it thru the system, you will be surprised of what is in the tank. Also drain the Hotwater heater to the ground and install a bypass so when you winterize it next winter you will not have to fill the HW heat with antifreeze. You also drain the water tank to the ground at the end of the season. There should be a valve to the ground on the back corner of the tank. If not on the outlet of the tank add a tee and then a small valve and run a hose thru the floor to drain to the ground. Thisl is also where you install that extra bypass valve listed below.

https://www.westmarine.com/search?Ntt=hot+water+heater+bypass
Or ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Camco-35953-Hot-Water-Heater-By-Pass-Winterize-Kit-Permanent-Brass-Valves/121936749169?epid=1811804032&hash=item1c63ff2271:g:t70AAOSwg3FUfPBu

The Camco units are the best! and you can get these at your local RV supply store too.

I used to put several gallons of RV antifreeze in the water tank and then pump it thru the system, it took 2 to 3 gallons. I now I also purchased and extra bypass vale like what is in the HW heater bypass kit and put it in the outlet of the water tank. Normal use the water comes out of the tank and goes to the pump. I then put the valve in bypass and I have a 30” hose that I connect to the bypass port on the valve and put the end into the gallon of RV AF. With the water tank bypassed I use about a gallon of AF thru the system and part of a second allow to fill the traps under the kit and bath sinks. I buy a gallon of cheap windshield fluid good to - 40F and dump that in the black tank thru the toilet and your good to go.

In the spring I fill my water tank about half full add 1 cup bleach and let set for several hours, drain tank and refill with fresh water. I then pump water thru the system to the faucets and toilet until pink goes away. I then change the HW heater bypass valves to put water into the HW heater and make sure that both valves are in the correct position.

Regards,

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

>
> Anyone know a way to flush a water system? This coach has had RV antifreeze in it for many many moons and after running about 100 plus gallons of
> water ( 60 of it with bleach) it still is coming out light pink and smelling of antifreeze.....
>
> Im thinking either someone on here has a few tricks to share or i maybe having to replace everything..... :(
>
> PS: my goal is not to drink the water but at least be able to wash/shower, brush teeth etc....
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Thanks J.R. the PO or PPO put antifreeze in the no one used the system for im going to guess 10 years so its like glue inside the lines....ill get
mine set up more like your description.

> 100 gallons is an awful lot of water to run thru the system to get it clean.
>
> Number one:
> You need to install a cleanout on your water tank similar to the one shown in this picture. If you have the poly tank it is an easy install. You
> can find those at most marine supply stores. I get mine from West Marine.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/interior-rear-construction-detail/p64992-water-tank-under-the-passenger-side-seat-cover.html
>
> Suggested cleanout:
>
> https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--6-screw-in-deck-plate--11743036?recordNum=4
>
> The 6” is the size you need as you need to get your arm into the tank and maybe a shopvac hose. Wash it out, then scrub it out then drain it to
> the ground, not pump it thru the system, you will be surprised of what is in the tank. Also drain the Hotwater heater to the ground and install a
> bypass so when you winterize it next winter you will not have to fill the HW heat with antifreeze. You also drain the water tank to the ground at
> the end of the season. There should be a valve to the ground on the back corner of the tank. If not on the outlet of the tank add a tee and then a
> small valve and run a hose thru the floor to drain to the ground. Thisl is also where you install that extra bypass valve listed below.
>
> https://www.westmarine.com/search?Ntt=hot+water+heater+bypass
> Or ebay:
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Camco-35953-Hot-Water-Heater-By-Pass-Winterize-Kit-Permanent-Brass-Valves/121936749169?epid=1811804032&hash=item1c63ff227
> 1:g:t70AAOSwg3FUfPBu
>
> The Camco units are the best! and you can get these at your local RV supply store too.
>
> I used to put several gallons of RV antifreeze in the water tank and then pump it thru the system, it took 2 to 3 gallons. I now I also purchased
> and extra bypass vale like what is in the HW heater bypass kit and put it in the outlet of the water tank. Normal use the water comes out of the
> tank and goes to the pump. I then put the valve in bypass and I have a 30” hose that I connect to the bypass port on the valve and put the end
> into the gallon of RV AF. With the water tank bypassed I use about a gallon of AF thru the system and part of a second allow to fill the traps
> under the kit and bath sinks. I buy a gallon of cheap windshield fluid good to - 40F and dump that in the black tank thru the toilet and your good
> to go.
>
> In the spring I fill my water tank about half full add 1 cup bleach and let set for several hours, drain tank and refill with fresh water. I then
> pump water thru the system to the faucets and toilet until pink goes away. I then change the HW heater bypass valves to put water into the HW
> heater and make sure that both valves are in the correct position.
>
> Regards,
>
> J.R. Wright
> GMC Great Laker MHC
> GMCGL Tech Editor
> GMC Eastern States Charter Member
> GMCMI
> 78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
> 75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
> Michigan
>
>
>

> >
> > Anyone know a way to flush a water system? This coach has had RV antifreeze in it for many many moons and after running about 100 plus
> > gallons of
> > water ( 60 of it with bleach) it still is coming out light pink and smelling of antifreeze.....
> >
> > Im thinking either someone on here has a few tricks to share or i maybe having to replace everything..... :(
> >
> > PS: my goal is not to drink the water but at least be able to wash/shower, brush teeth etc....
> > --
> > Rich Mondor,
> >
> > Brockville, ON
> >
> > 77 Hughes 2600
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
To Rich M. My motor home did NOT have a water heater by-pass when I got it. Once I installed it, I can't
imagine trying to winterize a MH without a water heater bypass. Although getting a by pass doesn't solve
your current problem it will definitely help you in a couple of months when you need to winterize for the it won't be long
before it is here winter. DO NOT let the system sit into freezing time without RV anti-freeze in it. I would expect
installing the system and doing the winterizing should be less than 1/2 day for you total.
--
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 
30 minutes easy.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6990-winterizing-sweetpea.html

bdub

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist On Behalf Of Dave King via Gmclist
Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2020 11:04 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Tricks to flushing water system?

To Rich M. My motor home did NOT have a water heater by-pass when I got it.
Once I installed it, I can't imagine trying to winterize a MH without a
water heater bypass. Although getting a by pass doesn't solve your current
problem it will definitely help you in a couple of months when you need to
winterize for the it won't be long before it is here winter. DO NOT let the
system sit into freezing time without RV anti-freeze in it. I would expect
installing the system and doing the winterizing should be less than 1/2 day
for you total.